Daylight savings ending means the days are getting shorter and the weather is getting chillier, falling into the winter months. You probably spent some time renovating your yard as you were quarantining in the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. Don’t let the winter ruin what you put time in! Here are the few things you can do to prepare your yard for the winter.
Treat your lawn
To ensure your roots are in the soil during the season, be sure to reseed and add in winter fertilizer. Some people will aerate their lawn by poking holes in the soil to allow air flow to seep into the ground and allow water to soak and nourish the grass. Through aeration, it prevents “crown hydration” which is when grass can intake water, freeze and then rupture the cells. It also prevents “snow molds,” which is when the snow melts leaving fungal infections on the grass that will kill it.
Cover your plants
Winter creatures tend to stop by and nibble at what’s left for the season. To avoid your garden being nibbled away, try putting chicken wire or loose cloth to protect your precious plants. You should also cover new trees by their base with a blanket to avoid frozen cracks in them after winter is over.
Trim/remove branches
Dead limbs that could fall during snowy weather need to be removed. The last thing you need is a fallen branch damaging your home. It also gives your tree more strength when you remove dying or dead branches. Don’t forget the power lines! Make sure to remove any branches that are too close to power lines, especially ones that could easily fall when heavy snow or ice has fallen overnight.
Tighten/repair any features
Start repairing before the weather gets too cold to bare. Check your driveway and walkways for any cracks in case any icy weather remodels your entry way into a slippery unwanted slide. If you have any wobbly stones, make sure to properly re-level them to avoid any tripping. Any loose bolts and screws will need to be tighten before a winter storm attacks. Lose railings won’t always be able to withstand the winter mixture of snow and ice.
Store the patio furniture
A great way to prolong the lifetime of your outdoor furniture is by washing and storing them away for the winter time. Check for the manufacturer’s instructions on how to properly store them away if you are out of room in your shed or garage. Also if there are any lightweight furniture you have, it’s best to put those away so they don’t get blown away in the windy nights and avoid getting damaged.
Get ahead this winter and take care of your lawn during the last few weeks of fall that we have left. It will help speed up the process come spring time! Doing so will avoid unwanted injuries and be less of a hassle during the colder days.